Tag Archives: writing course

Do you love learning? Or teaching? Are you an expert at something, or know fascinating facts that children would soak up? If you want to tell dynamic, true stories or impart your knowledge to kids in ways that will grab and hold their attention, the Writing Barn is offering a class suited for you. Award-winning author Miranda Paul will be teaching the six-week writing course online entitled, Beyond Biographies: Creative Nonfiction & Informational Fiction Picture Books will be taught on Monday evenings from Nov. 5-Dec. 10, 2018.

In this brand-new workshop, award-winning picture book author Miranda Paul will show you how to dazzle 21st century kids with creative nonfiction and informational fiction books that outshine the humdrum encyclopedias and textbooks of generations past. By showcasing myriad formats beyond the ever-popular picture book biography—including narrative, expository, poetic, and layered structures—the focus of this course is shaping informational manuscripts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles that appeal to trade as well as school and library markets.

In this course, you will learn how to:

Define creative nonfiction, informational fiction, etc.

Categorize myriad creative picture book formats

Find unique angles for well-worn ideas

Match topics with age-appropriate vocab and style

Research and document sources

Collaborate with experts or interview witnesses

Distinguish tone and voice

Avoid “information dumping”

Craft meaningful back matter and authors’ notes

Consider award criteria and best practices

Write standout pitches and professional queries

And so much more…

Who should take this class:

Writers who have a background, expertise, strong interest or connection with a particular nonfiction subject matter or topic

Fiction writers looking to strengthen their research or nonfiction skills, or nonfiction writers looking for more creative and original approaches

Writers who want to teach a concept or impart information in a fun or engaging way

Writers who fluctuate between being right- and left-brained, who are both creative and geeky

Writers who want to tell stories that inspire, educate, and coincide with classroom learning

Writers considering a career in nonfiction or who are looking to sell more nonfiction work

Writers with a number of creative nonfiction or informational fiction ideas and/or manuscripts and want to assess how salable they are (or aren’t)

Dates of the Full Series: 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, and 12/10 **If you miss a class, the instructor may record the class for later viewing. Please note, technical glitches may occur and recording is not a guarantee.

Miranda Paul is the award-winning children’s author of ten picture books that engage, inspire, and appeal to both educational and trade markets. Her titles One Plastic Bag and Water is Water were both named Junior Library Guild selections, and she has received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly. Several of her books have been translated and her books have been included on more than a dozen state award lists. Adventures to School, co-authored with Baptiste Paul, includes 13 real-life journeys of students from around the world. Miranda has three nonfiction titles forthcoming in 2019, including Nine Months, illustrated by Jason Chin; I Am Farmer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon; and Little Libraries, Big Heroes, illustrated by John Parra. Miranda makes regular appearances at schools and libraries, and has been a guest presenter at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center along with environmental activist Isatou Ceesay. She is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and currently serves as their Mentorship chair. Her values include working hard, having fun, and being kind. Learn more at mirandapaul.com or follow her on Twitter @Miranda_Paul.